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The geometry of burning mirrors in Greek antiquity. Analysis, heuristic, projections, lemmatic fragmentation

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Abstract

The article analyzes in detail the assumptions and the proofs typical of the research field of the geometry of burning mirrors. It emphasizes the role of two propositions of the Archimedean Quadratura parabolae, never brought to bear on this subject, and of a complex system of projections reducing a sumptōma of a parabola to some specific linear lemmas. On the grounds of this case-study, the much-debated problem of the heuristic role of analysis is also discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CNRS, UMR 8163 «Savoirs, textes, langage», B.P. 60149, 59653, Villeneuve d’Ascq Cedex, France

    Fabio Acerbi

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  1. Fabio Acerbi
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Correspondence to Fabio Acerbi.

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Communicated by Alexander Jones.

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Acerbi, F. The geometry of burning mirrors in Greek antiquity. Analysis, heuristic, projections, lemmatic fragmentation. Arch. Hist. Exact Sci. 65, 471–497 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00407-010-0076-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00407-010-0076-8

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